The $24.9 million Victorian Centre for Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing (VCSCM) was launched last week by the Victorian Minister for Manufacturing, David Hodgett. [ + ]

The Federal Minister for Climate Change, Mark Butler, has announced that construction will soon begin on the largest solar power station in the Southern Hemisphere. [ + ]

Following 10 years of research and development, CSIRO scientists have perfected the prawn feed additive Novacq, giving prawn lovers access to more sustainably farmed prawns that still taste great. [ + ]

A smartphone app and website which the public can use to report incidents of environmental pollution have been developed by students at Victoria University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science. [ + ]

The Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Urban Water, Amanda Rishworth, yesterday announced the opening of the $100 million fourth funding round of the On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program. [ + ]

The first long-term study of fine smoke particles generated by burning of the savannah - open woodland and grassland - has been completed. This means the seasonal influence of aerosols on Australia’s tropical climate can now be included in climate models. [ + ]

Livable Housing Australia (LHA) has launched a free app which will guide the design and construction of homes that are more liveable for all Australians at all stages of life. [ + ]

In April, power and automation technology group ABB announced its agreement to acquire Power-One, a provider of renewable energy and of energy-efficient power conversion and power management solutions. The acquisition has now been completed. [ + ]

Industrial group Atlas Copco has presented its Environmental Award for 2012 to the team that developed the company’s GA VSD+ compressor, launched in April this year. The compressor is said to cut energy consumption by roughly half compared to traditional devices. [ + ]

The Rudd government has released an exposure draft of legislation to implement an earlier start to emissions trading. [ + ]

Waste Expo, to be held from 9-10 October at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, has announced a subsidised education program to take place in the ‘Waste Summit’ theatre at the show. [ + ]

Enviropacific Services has announced that its shareholders have signed a binding share sale agreement for the sale of Enviropacific to Ramky Environment Pty Limited (REPL), a subsidiary of Ramky International Singapore Pty Limited (RISPL). [ + ]

MWH Global has announced two new appointments to its Australian transport business. Stephen Moore has been appointed transportation leader, Government and Infrastructure for New South Wales and Victoria; and Alex Iljin is business manager for infrastructure planning. [ + ]

Native species of algae have been identified as potential candidates for the development of cheap, efficient and commercially viable alternative fuels. [ + ]

Industry market research firm The Freedonia Group has released the report ‘Water Treatment Equipment’, predicting future trends in the US water treatment market. [ + ]